Gordon-Conwell Academic Catalog (2021–2022)

Church History (Division of Christian Thought) CH500 Survey of Church History A general survey of the history of the Christian church from its founding at Pentecost to the present day.

CH501 The Church to the Reformation A general survey of the history of the Christian church from its founding at Pentecost to the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century.

CH502 The Church since the Reformation A general survey of the history of the Christian church from the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century to the present time.

CH503 American Evangelicalism A study of the development of Protestant Evangelicalism in America, with background material from other European and American streams, comparing movements of evangelical awakening with other responses to Western secularization.

CH/SF591 Dynamics of Spiritual Life Drawing on the Creation-Redemption narrative and the riches of the history of Christian Spirituality, the course presents a comprehensive model of spirituality that can be used in personal renewal, spiritual formation, direction, discipleship, and counseling. Combining theory and praxis, it explores key spiritual dynamics, equipping for ministry to those seeking a deeper life with Christ.

CH/TH601 History and Theology of the African-American Church This course will explore the history of the African American Church, how we have known God through our social, political, economic, and religious context, review major themes in African Ameri-can theological reflection, and suggest areas for further reflection and praxis.

CH/WM603 History of Missions This course provides an overview of the historical progress of the Christian missions from its inception to the present. It seeks to explore Christian missions from historical and missiological perspectives, and identify the different mission patterns or paradigms characteristic of different eras and regions.

CH/WM610 The Churches in the Global South: Past and Present The conventional approach to the global spread of Christianity is quite Euro-centric. In this course, after surveying the global outreach and existence of churches in the ancient and medieval times, we will focus on modern worldwide missionary movement since the 19th Century and rise of the churches in the global south and east in the 20th Century. We will examine the characteristics of the rising churches in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and evaluate their profound implications and impacts on the global Christian community, and reflect on how we in the West respond and relate to these churches in the non-western world.

CH611 American Christianity An analysis of the major themes in American religious history from colonial times to the present. Special attention will be given to the relation between the church and the social, economic and political context within which it seeks to minister.

CH/TH614 Jonathan Edwards Surveys the work of America’s greatest theologian, exploring the biblical and philosophical roots of his thinking and evaluating his contributions to theology, history, aesthetics and spiritual renewal. Readings include: The Freedom of the Will, Original Sin, The Religious Affections and many shorter works.

CH/SF616 Spiritual Autobiographies of Women This course will explore the writings of women about their own spiritual lives. We will do close readings of the autobiographies, diaries, journals, letters, blogs, and poetry of women throughout the 2000 years of the history of the Church.

CH/SF618 Medieval Spirituality Medieval approaches to knowing God through mysticism, monasticism, popular piety, sacraments, worship, art, music, architecture, symbolism; exploring relevance to spirituality 55